Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson hoping to prove doubters wrong

It wasn't a total shock the Cavaliers selected Texas power forward Tristan Thompson with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.

But it surprised some observers around the league.

The Cavs decided to select Thompson instead of Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, who was forced to play overseas this season.

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"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion," Thompson said at Cleveland Clinic Courts on Monday. "Some people were glad they picked me, and some wanted them to take the Lithuanian kid.

"I'll just come in and play my game and win their hearts."

The 6-foot-9, 225-pounder practiced with Cavs teammates for the first time Monday. Others on hand were forwards Luke Harangody, Omri Casspi and Samardo Samuels and guard Manny Harris.

Because of the 149-day lockout, it appeared as if the season would be scrapped at one point this fall. Naysayers wondered why Thompson and Kyrie Irving didn't remain in college for another year.

"In terms of making the wrong choice, this was a dream of mine to play in the NBA," Thompson said. "I had an opportunity to get drafted where I did by the Cavaliers. You can't turn that down.

"Everything happens for a reason. I'm glad they resolved (the labor impasse). Everyone that thought it was a bad decision (he came out after his freshman year), they changed their mind real quick."

Thompson, 20, will be thrust into the Cavs' frontcourt rotation. He'll likely come off the bench behind starter Antawn Jamison at power forward.

"It doesn't matter to me," Thompson said. "I'm about winning. I want to come in and be a rookie and give it all I've got. Wherever Coach (Byron) Scott puts me in the rotation, I'm glad. At the same time, this is an opportunity that a lot of people wish they had."

Irving was the No. 1 pick in the draft. That will likely allow Thompson to operate in the background for much of the season.

"The pressure is on Kyrie," he said. "He's the No. 1 pick, and the spotlight will be on him. He's one of the faces of the franchise. I'll just come in and do what Tristan Thompson does, and hopefully, the fans will love that."

Irving is a close friend of his. Thompson said Irving is still attending classes at Duke and won't make it to Cleveland until Thursday or Friday.

"He'll be here as soon as he can," he said.

Thompson said conditioning won't be a problem for him. He worked out twice a day while attending classes in Austin. He also worked out with many of the Spurs players, including future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, in San Antonio.

He said he doesn't think he'll have any problem learning Scott's playbook. Because of the shortened season, there will be limited practice time.

"I've been playing for a top-notch coach in Rick Barnes, who also uses some of the Princeton (offense) and throws a lot of stuff at you," Thompson said. "I'll be prepared. If I need more time to study, I'll go home (at nights) and read the playbook.

"(I'm) a guy who loves the game of basketball and gives 110 percent every time he's on the court. (I'll do) whatever it takes to win. I'm a team player. Winning trumps everything."

Injury update

Casspi, acquired in the J.J. Hickson trade from Sacramento, said he strained his medial collateral ligament in his left knee in August while practicing with the Israeli national team.

He took an MRI about three weeks ago, and he said the knee is fully recovered. Casspi said he'll be able to practice full-go when training camp starts Friday.

Coaching hire

The Cavs announced the hiring of former D-League head coach Nate Tibbetts on Monday. He guided the Tulsa 66ers to the playoffs in both seasons in the D-League.

Former Cavs guard Craig Ehlo was one of three coaches reportedly interviewed for the position. However, reports out of Spokane, Wash., that he'd been hired were erroneous.

Tibbetts, 34, coached the Western Conference in the 2011 D-League All-Star game and was selected this past fall as the head coach of the 2011 Pan American Games. The U.S. won a bronze medal, their first in the games since 1999.

The Cavs have also hired player development assistant/video coach Aubrey McCreary, who will join returning player development assistant/video coach Jordi Fernandez.

"I feel great about the coaching group we have in place now," Scott said in a prepared statement. "Paul Pressey will continue to be my lead assistant, while Jamahl and Joe have both worked very hard, done a good job and deserved these promotions.

"Nate comes from an organization that has developed a young core and a similar belief system in creating success with a defense-first mentality, and Aubrey is an accomplished and respected player development coach that is going to be a great fit with all our coaches and our players. I am very excited for our group to get started with our team soon."

Schedule release

The NBA will release each team's 66-game schedule at 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBA TV. Many observers seem to think the Cavs will open at home against Toronto on Dec. 26.